Representing a Buffalo program that always seems to be producing XL and extra tough talent across the board, the Bison have a fun mix of 2027s going into the fall and will be led at the front of OL Matthew Babatz. The younger brother of 2025 Buffalo grad Ryan Babatz, a true freshman starter at OT for the North Dakota State Bison last fall, Matthew came into the the summer with no offers but quickly put PRZMN and the local college suitors on blast about what they were missing. A big-time performer during 1v1s and when the pads were crackin’ and the competition was heating up, Babatz earned Bemidji State, Southwest MN State, UW-Eau Claire, Augsburg, and MSU-Moorhead offers throughout various stops at South Dakota State, North Dakota, UW-Eau Claire, and NDSU camps. That MSUM offer was eventually the one to stick, as Babatz shut down his recruitment and committed to the Dragons two days after receiving the offer.

Babatz’s 2025 season highlights show off a RG who is very technically sound, light and nimble on his feet for an iOL, and one of the best pass sets in the state going into 2026. Babatz has very clean footwork in his pass set, looks balanced and is able to gain depth at speed while staying square, and is also is far from passive in pass pro, as it should be. He can dominate on simple down blocks, does a great job of staying square and not reaching over extending in both run and pass blocking scenarios, including against blitzers, and looks extremely comfortable in pass pro settings overall. Plus, he’ll be playing closer to big bro. What a match and what a winner from the 2026 Summer Camp SZN.

We move right down the road on Hwy 55 to Buffalo, to an offensive linemen that has really intrigued me with his growth in the live evals this summer which is Bison hog molly Matthew Babatz Matthew Babatz 6'0" | 245 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2027 State MN . He’s gotten much more balanced with his run-blocking and pass pro entering his senior season as another area where Matthew has grown off the eye test is a more athletic base than a year ago. College coaches are also seeing the growth I have been tracking for a couple of years now, as Bemidj State, Augsburg, Southwest Minnesota State and of course, the hosts of the UWEC Big Man MEGA Camp have all offered in the last couple weeks. His refiting and drive blocking ability was another live eval skillset that popped out in Eau Claire for Matthew.

It’s been a fruitful Summer Camp SZN for Buffalo OL Matthew Babatz Matthew Babatz 6'0" | 245 lbs | OL Buffalo | 2027 State MN . Entering the 2026 UWEC Big Man OL/DL Mega Camp with offers from Southwest Minnesota State and Bemidji State, Babatz brought the momentum into the padded reps and Offset Base, using his big body and eye-catching size to enforce himself at the contact point, with some impressive foot speed to match. Wins, not to mention dominant wins, were earned by Babatz in the Big Dog group of competition in Eau Claire.

Matthew is one that I have gotten a few exposure points on over the last year in live evals, and I thought his best one was Tuesday night. The 6’0 260 pounder from Buffalo, appeared more fluid and I thought his foot speed headed into his blocks were more sped up from my last live eval. I got to watch Matthew a bit during the testing period, and another area that I felt was the case was I feel Matthew has gained a stronger bend and lower center of gravity with watching his reps in Dinkytown. He’s a well-versed pass blocker and that foot speed I noted, was noticable when watching his reps. He could be an interesting OL prospect for college programs, as his brother Ryan who’s at NDSU is 6’4 so there’s a good possibility that Matthew might not be done growing yet as something to keep in mind.